In the wake of the fires that devastated portions of western Maui, Meeting Professionals International is donating $5,000 to the Maui Strong Fund, established by the Hawai’i Community Foundation. Working with the Hawai’i Visitors and Conventions Bureau and Meet Hawai’i, MPI will seek to direct those funds specifically towards impacted individuals within the tourism and hospitality community. If you would like to donate, please click here.

Supplementing that donation, the MPI Foundation is providing funds that will extend the memberships for an additional six months to all 37 MPI members who currently reside in the state of Hawai’i. It’s imperative that we offer support so they can continue taking advantage of the benefits related to MPI membership during this challenging time.

We also want to ensure our community of meeting and event professionals are aware that areas in Maui unaffected by the wildfires (including Kahului, Wailuku, Wailea, Mākena, Pā’ia and Hāna) remain open for business. As do other islands within the state, such as Kaua’i, O’ahu, Lāna’i. Moloka’i and Hawai’i Island.

Tourism and business events are a critical economic driver for the state of Hawai’i and Maui specifically, accounting for 70% of its local economy. As champions of this industry, we need to support local Maui residents by providing financial support, maintaining business in the areas that remain open, and spreading the message that group meetings are welcomed and needed.